Road Safety
Council aims to reduce the number and severity of crashes in the Matamata-Piako Area, but road safety is everyone's responsibility. You can contribute to road safety in our district by taking note of the messages below and getting involved.
Working with the community to maintain footpaths
We aim for footpaths to be safe, comfortable and accessible for all users. Overtime they will wear out, becoming rough and chipped from vehicles driving over them, damage from tree roots and general wear and tear. We are aware some foothpaths are not suitable for mobility and scooter users and we need to do better to make them more accessible and repair and upgrade them in an appropriate timeframe. Every year we carry out regular maintenance on our footpaths and some projects may be delayed due to resourcing and available funds (all depending how often footpaths are getting unintentionally damaged - e.g. cars or service vehicles driving over kerbing). Outside of regular maintenance, we rely on community members letting us know where the issues are. If you see footpaths in need of maintenance or repair, please contact Customer Services on 0800 746 467, report it via Antenno or use Facebook Messenger.
Report crashes or near misses
Council makes every endeavour to provide a safe roading environment, but we can't monitor the network 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Often we are unaware of crashes that have happened in the district, so we can’t carry out any necessary remedial works (repairing signage etc) straight away. You can help us identify potentially dangerous spots on our roads by making sure you tell us about it if you are involved in or witness a crash.
By reporting a crash you won't be getting anyone into trouble - the only details we are interested in is anything that could help us identify necessary changes that could improve the safety of our district roads - such as the location, road type etc.
Report an accident or near miss
Buckland Road, Matamata traffic Issues
There have been a number of concerns raised about the safety of road users on Buckland Road and we need to better understand these problems.
Please let us know of any near misses, incidents or accidents that you encounter or witness on Buckland Road. This will ensure we’re aware of incidents and allow us to follow up and make an assessment on the recent safety improvements implemented on Buckland Road.
You can report these by calling 0800 746 467 or online at Report an incident or near miss on Buckland Rd..
Reduce the risk - motorcycles
- Motorcycles have the highest level of risk per kilometre travelled
- You are 18 times more vulnerable riding a motorcycle than driving a car
- Motorcyclists are less visible, have less protection and less stability than most other road vehicles
- Most Waikato rural motorcycle (over 70 km/h) road crashes occur during daylight in weekends
- Urban Waikato motorcycle road crashes occur at peak times on weekdays
- If your motorcycle was manufactured on or after 1 January 1980 you must legally switch on your headlight during daylight hours
- Motorcycles account for 16% of all Waikato fatalities but only 2% of the total Waikato vehicle fleet
Reduce the Risk shows simple ways that you can reduce the risks when riding a motorcycle on our roads.
Did you know that your motorbike helmet has an expiry date? Visit Sharp to find out the safety rating of your helmet.
Are you a group rider, returning to riding or interested in gaining more skills check out the Ride Forever website.
Plan B4 U Party
Making party plans for the weekend? Make sure you plan to get home safe.
For more information, check out Reduce the risk
Be Prepared
Stock are unpredictable and can get onto the road at any time of the day or night and can run out in front of oncoming traffic. Look out for stock movements with sharemilkers moving herds in early June.
Tractors are large vehicles and patience is required on our roads. Tractors, like stock, can be around the next corner or over the brow of a hill. Please Be Prepared on our rural roads.
Heavy vehicles are often tall, wide and slow, keep a look out and Be Prepared to reduce your speed any time of the day or night. In particular during hay season January - February.
Slow down to 20kph when passing school buses
Get involved with SADD
SADD is a peer education programme that has been in New Zealand for over 20 years. The primary objective of SADD is to reduce the harm caused on our roads by drink drivers. The peer education programme is run in secondary schools by students, and can be incorporated into the school curriculum. The organisation is open to any student and SADD encourages participation from across the year levels.
For more information, check out SADD
Ruben the Road Safety Bear
Ruben the Road Safety Bear's job is to help children learn to stay safe on and around the road; Ruben lives in Hamilton and travels all across Waikato telling his story.
Do you want to know what Ruben's monthly road safety tip is? Want Ruben the Road Safety Bear to come to your school?
Check out Ruben's website
Cycling
Check out these cycle skills workshops happening in your area.
Police continue to target non-compliant cyclists who are not wearing cycle helmets. If you cycle without a helmet you risk receiving a $55 infringement penalty.
School crossings
Check out New Zealand Transport Agency to read about sharing the road with pedestrians
Read the Road Safety Strategy
Council's Road Safety Strategy outlines how we aim to reduce the incidence and severity of crashes in the Matamata-Piako area.